Acrylic nails are the new trend

PHOTO: Senior Kelly Pike enjoys experimenting with different nail designs every time she gets them done.

By Sarah Griffiths,

BlueDevilHUB.com Staff–

2019 featured a variety of new and old fashion trends, including the increasing popularity of acrylic nails. Now, say goodbye to short, unkempt nails and welcome the world of glamorously long acrylics.

Acrylic nails are nail enhancements made by combining a liquid acrylic product with a powdered acrylic product, according to Nails magazine.

Thanks to social media, especially with Instagram videos of detailed designs and shapes, acrylic nails have become more mainstream. Their appearance is also noticed on well-known celebrities such as Kylie Jenner and Rihanna.

They were invented back in 1954 when dentist Fred Slack broke his nail and created an artificial replacement using dental acrylic. No one would’ve guessed that they’d become such a huge fashion statement in the following decades.

However, maintaining the long, model-like nails is not easy. It’s a full commitment.

“I get my acrylics redone every three to four weeks,” junior Emma Nansen said.

Acrylics are also very difficult to remove without damaging the nail bed, which means refilling every few weeks or suffering damaged natural nails growing after removal.

“It’s really painful if you break one because they are glued really tight to your natural nail,” junior Georgia Postema said.

Your wallet may also suffer after a trip to the salon; according to Cost Helper Health, the typical cost for a mid-range acrylic manicure at a spa or salon ranges from $45 to $60 for a standard set.

Overall, though, many consider the nails to be worth it. Acrylic lover Kelly Pike enjoys experimenting with fun designs and colors.

“It’s a chance to use my fingers as an extra accessory,” the senior said.